FINALLY, the seemingly ‘untouchable’ Dar es Salaam City Council Director Wilson Kabwe has been suspended over inking fraudulent deals that have denied the government billions of shillings.
President John Magufuli announced the suspension during the official launching of the multi-billion shilling Kigamboni Bridge, following a sickening report divulged to him by the Regional Commissioner, Mr Paul Makonda.
At the heart of the eye-opener, Mr Makonda briefed the non-nonsense head of state that Kabwe, under his capacity as city director, signed controversial contracts regarding to revenues collection at Ubungo Bus Terminal (UBT) and the National Parking System (NPS).
Kabwe has repeatedly been under fire; accused of various malpractices and inefficiency since when he was saving in the same capacity in two regions--Mbeya and Mwanza. Members of Parliament had already raised a red flag against him, calling the government to send him packing; but instead, he was transferred from Mwanza to Dar es Salaam.
The fired director is said to have been forced out of office in Mbeya and Mwanza cities by councillors and the public for similar reasons but was untouched, the situation that mounted numerous complaints against him.
President Magufuli, who had called the Dar es Salaam RC on the podium twice to give more details, stressed that his government will not tolerate public leaders who use the sweat of poor Tanzanians to benefit themselves.
“Such leaders have no place in my government. I am announcing that Kabwe is suspended and the anti-corruption institution should investigate this immediately. If he will be found clean, then I have no problem with him.
Otherwise legal action should be taken against him,” President Magufuli said amid cheers. The president directed that the Acting Director should stop with immediate effect revenue collection contracts at UBT and NPS until investigations are completed.
He said public leaders who want to work with the government must prepare to work for the benefit of the majority poor to protect the interests and address challenges they face. He commended Mr Makonda, wishing him Gods’ blessing and stressing that youthful leaders have been at the forefront in supporting his efforts for a better Tanzania.
On the other hand, Dr Magufuli revealed that so far, the number of ghost workers in Shinyanga Region has climbed to 226. Last week, the president fired Shinyanga Regional Commissioner Anne Kilango for filing falsified information that there were no phantom workers in her region.
Speaking earlier in the event, Mr Makonda said shortly after taking office, he formed a team of experts to look into all the contracts under DCC, especially on revenue collection, including UBT and NPS.
He said the team unearthed massive cheating in the contracts, including the DCC director signing two different contracts using different bylaws, on two different days
